The New Giants of Container Shipping

As of 1 January 2018, 451 ultra-large containerships (ULCS) were operating, while another 129 were on order for delivery into 2020, according to container sector credit risk analyst DynaLiner.

A report from the analyst has revealed how many containerships with a nominal container capacity of 10,000 TEU and over are waiting in the shipyards and moving trade throughout the seas.

Many of these vessels were born after a recovery in carrier companies’ profits, fuelled by consolidation and the need for new ships to replace aging and less environmentally friendly and economical fleets.

DynaLiner has found that all ULCS larger than 18,000 TEU — also referred to as MegaMax ships — invariably operate in the high-density North Europe-Far East trade.

The average capacity of all ships of all sizes currently operating over these trade routes is 15,000 TEU.

On a global scale, DynaLiner has found that Switzerland-based MSC, the second largest containership company by fleet capacity, deploys a fleet of 90 ULCS — the largest in the sector.

The carrier also has the most on order, with 11 ships of 23,350 TEU still to come.

Denmark-based Maersk, the largest of all carriers and the inventor, initiator and developer of the ULCS with its 15,500 TEU “Emma Maersk” — initially rated at 11,000 TEU when launched in August 2006, has come in second with 86 existing vessels, of which 13 inherited from its recent Hamburg Süd acquisition.

The Danes have eleven units on order, including six of 20,600 TEU each.

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